Just as fabric quilts have their own history, so do barn quilts. Before paint was readily affordable, some creative farmers decorated their building with leftover paint depicting different types of folk art, often including quilt block designs. In early 2000, the barn quilt trend was reinvented, now the movement is growing exponentially.

One year, for Christmas, I received a gift certificate from my mom for a barn quilt to hang on our fourth-generation family farm. Mom got the idea after reading that Menasha, WI High School drawing and painting students under the direction of Erin Culligan planned to design and make 20 wooden barn quilts as part of their semester assignment. She immediately signed up!

Nancy’s Spool

I drew out a design—obvious, why I chose a spool—and emailed it to the art teacher. The High School class began painting in January.

The two sections of the 8′ x 8′ barn quilt were delivered this spring.

Several weeks ago, relatives who own the right equipment, were given the task to assemble their first quilt. Lucky for them, this quilt is made of wood. No 1/4″ seam allowances necessary!

The final touch, my mom’s idea, was to add above the window the year the homestead was settled—1883. My great-grandparents Theodore and Alice Larson were the first settlers; followed by my grandparents Loyall and Georgina Larson; my parents Ralph and Barbara Luedtke then owned the farm; and now my husband and I are pleased to keep this homestead in the family. It is filled with history and wonderful memories.

Many thanks to my mom, Barbara, and my step-father, Warren, for the terrific gift!

52 Comments

Gloria KautzerNovember 11, 2017

The family farm was sold back when I was a child so I hang my quilts on my walls or sofa. I do love driving the countyside seeing the barn quilts. I would like to finish my block of the month, Heartland, so I can start my other projects, like my 2017 Row by Row kits.

E. WatsonOctober 20, 2017

I don’t usually make quilts, but I have been wanting to give it a try. I always loved the spool block, and I would love to make a quilt using only the spool block. I would make the “thread” on each spool a different, bright color.

Patricia BiggsOctober 15, 2017

Today I finished my version of the Jane Austen quilt! I started it four years ago as a gift for my daughter. Progress on this wonderful quilt slowed down whenever I reached a point of difficulty, but I persevered, and it turned out beautifully! Will have a good friend quilt it for me, and gift it to my daughter for her 50th birthday on January 1st. PS…. I painted a churndash barn quilt for my backyard shed a few years ago. I love it! I love your show, Nancy! Will miss your inspiration.

Patricia BiggsOctober 15, 2017

Today I finished my version of the Jane Austen quilt! I started it four years ago as a gift for my daughter. Progress on this wonderful quilt slowed down whenever I reached a point of difficulty, but I persevered, and it turned out beautifully! Will have a good friend quilt it for me, and gift it to my daughter for her 50th birthday on January 1st. PS…. I painted a churndash barn quilt for my backyard shed a few years ago. I love it! I love your show, Nancy! Will miss your inspiration.

SueOctober 14, 2017

I am finishingbavTexas Star for my grand daughter

NatalieOctober 14, 2017

SOMEday, one of the quilts in my head will actually get made! I have too many ideas: denim ‘Cathedral Window’ made from repurposed jeans; t-shirt quilt from my daughter’s 1/2 marathon shirts; wearable patchwork from my late father’s ties. . .and one or two wooden ones to hang on the shed that stores the gardening tools!

Peggy SOctober 13, 2017

I will begin a Chevron quilt for my 16 yr old granddaughter, she has chosen the pattern and material, I just need to get busy on it. Jan. through Mar. in Michigan is a good time to quilt so hope to have it finished by Spring. Am just starting
a quilt for a new great grandson to have finished by Christmas.
Thank you Nancy for all the help you have given us quilters.

lynnOctober 13, 2017

I am determined to finish my queen size Christmas quilt that I started four or five years ago…..

Cindy CookeOctober 13, 2017

Loved hearing your bit of family history! I’ve been teaching my best friend how to quilt. She first made a T-shirt quilt, and then we made a queen-sized crazy quilt for her son and his wife. My personal winter project is a Winding Ways quilt for my own bedroom .Funny that the one who claims to be a quilter always has the raggedy quilts on her own bed! Thanks for all the neat tricks of the trade you’ve shared over the years…I’m one of your biggest fans!

SunniOctober 12, 2017

I’m searching for a bright, cheerful quilt kit. My Mom is now in a nursing home and she has always loved flowers in any shape, color or form. Flowers and birds work too! I’d like something that will go together fast. Still looking.

BobbieOctober 12, 2017

I love barn quilts. I made an Ohio star for our shed and just finished a Texas bluebonnet for my moms back porch. I’ve been working on a dresden plate pieced and embroidered quilt for a while now. I may work on it or do a new wall hanging of McKenna Ryan bird houses.

Cyndy from the Funny FarmOctober 12, 2017

Well, I do have to finish a few quilts this winter! There are two paper pieced ones, Prismatic Star (my first Judy Niemeyer pattern) and The Lion (Jungle Abstractions by Violet Craft). Then there’s the Hunter’s Star I started in a class that I haven’t gotten back to. Sheesh, when I start thinking about it, there’s a LOT of UFOs I need to get back to. I also got a pattern and fabric for a traditional Basket block option I want to make for my mom’s 70th birthday in 2018. And….and….and…..

Brenda LivingstonOctober 11, 2017

I have a metal barn quilt on my house, but hope in the future to make a ‘real’ one!!!! I will be working on a disappearing hourglass quilt for a dear friend! Still keeping Nancy in my prayers!

Hazel DavidsonOctober 11, 2017

Loved the video on Barn Quilts. Love to learn of family legacies in the ownership of properties that hold such memories. My projects are on hold at the moment due to a pending surgical procedure but you can’t keep a girl from dreaming of the “next project”. Perhaps in my recovery period I will feel up to working on some of my UFOs. Thanks again for sharing this wonderful program.

BonnieOctober 11, 2017

Love barn quilts! I am working on a Christmas Star wall hanging for the holidays. Thanks for the great giveaway.

JOctober 11, 2017

I joined a Block of the Month group and we are doing barn quilts this year! What fun! Our first Block is Jacob’s Ladder. Interesting to learn the history behind each pattern.
Thank you for all the knowledge you have shared with us!

I am trying to get a rainbow quilt for my grand daughter and stars and planets for my grandson. Love all the ideas you give us each and every day. Thanks again for all you have shown each of us.

Carol Vander PoppenOctober 11, 2017

I am repairing a Churn Dash quilt my grandmother made. I made a barn quilt with that pattern.

Norma RayOctober 11, 2017

I plan to make Nancy’s Block if the Month this winter. I have collected all the patterns and by the end of the year I should have the last few.

I really love the barn quilts. I have a pattern with the barn quits and hope to make it in the future.

Rosalind GutierrezOctober 11, 2017

I’ve been gathering orange fabric for a pumpkin quilt P\pattern that I am anxious to make.

Diana MerrillOctober 11, 2017

This makes we wish I had a barn…
I’m just starting out on quilting. I’ve down a couple of little projects so far. My next project is a table runner from a book I’ve misplaced. I know I will find it, though.

Linda KavanaughOctober 10, 2017

I have saved a much loved quilt made by my grandmother. I have made patterns of each block and hope to recreate it and gift to my granddaughter. If my quilt makes her happy and shares it’s comforting qualities- it will be worth every stitch.

Mary ZinkOctober 10, 2017

It seems like I have more ideas than time, so I have many unfinished projects waiting for the final touches. My chevron quilt is at the top of the pile, just waiting for the final border. When I watch “Sewing with Nancy”, I keep my camera handy when Nancy (and guests) are demonstrating quilt blocks. The pictures remind me to try new designs and color combinations.

AstaOctober 10, 2017

What a lovely barn quilt. I recently read your memoir Seams Unlikely and really enjoyed learning more about your family’s farm and the story behind how you built and grew your business. What a beautiful barn quilt to help commemorate your family history.

Marianne LeachOctober 10, 2017

really appropriate for you! You’re in my thoughts and prayers

Kathryn HartleyOctober 10, 2017

I love your Barn Quilt! Mine will be Flying Geese as my hubby and I have raised some orphaned Canad Geese and we love them! I will be working on a T-shirt quilt for my daughter who is an IRONMAN with many t-shirts of her races!!!

DorothyOctober 10, 2017

I loved reading your story about the history of your Homestead and your barn quilt. Such a heartwarming, beautiful gift. And I love your Mother’s idea of putting the year above the window. I love riding the countryside in southern WI to see the beautiful barn quilts. Your barn is beautiful!!

VeraOctober 10, 2017

I love a quilt with a story and love your spool design with its secondary stars. Thank you for your years of inspiration and sewing advice. May God bless this next chapter of your life. I have a Sticks and Stones quilt to complete. It’s a bit like a split rail and the stones are on the diagonal like an Irish chain.

karin CallanderOctober 10, 2017

We have a barn, but no barn quilt (yet!). I have been collecting fabrics for an applique Under the Sea quilt. It’s got jellyfish, seahorse, fish, octopus, dolphin, & whale. Because we live where manatees are common during the winter, I plan to sub out a manatee for the whale. I’ve been collecting for about 2 years now, so it’s high time to start!

Love Barn Quilt blocks — we don’t own a barn, but was thinking of putting a quilt block of the front of my house….maybe a “welcome” block under my porch light

Carol ParrishOctober 10, 2017

I loved this story. We live in Illinois and don’t have many barn quilts in our area, but my sister and I traveled to the Cumberland Gap a few years ago and loved seeing the tons of the barn quilts out there. Just Beautiful.

I’m working on a broken dishes quilt and also finishing up some wool applique projects for the holidays. Loved the barn quilt story and your family history on that farm! Thanks for the chance to win and thank you for years of terrific inspiration Nancy. Now go fight that cancer and win!!!

KarenOctober 10, 2017

I would like to make a barn quilt. What is the best way to weather proof the wood? How about some instructions on preparing the wood for paint, painting and finishing. Maybe a tip or two on hanging. Thanks for the help now and many times before. Keeping you in my prayers.

CamilleOctober 10, 2017

What a delightful, historical story of your family homestead and the barn quilt. I have fallen in love with row quilts and am making several simultaneously. I just finished a Halloween Row Quilt and a Christmas Row Quilt is in progress.

Gail BeamOctober 10, 2017

I love the spool quilt !

Jennifer ShirleyOctober 10, 2017

Love it! Several of the Quilters from my guild have added barn quilts to their barn in the last year, and Indiana has a wonderful barn quilt trail which you can get maps for.
Thank you for sharing!

BarbaraOctober 10, 2017

I love your block…great barn quilt for you! I’ve never had a barn to have a barn quilt on until recently. (Well technically its a loafing shed but it’ll do!). Now I just need to pick out a design. I hope to finish a Star Diamond quilt this winter–a kit I bought in the early 90s…its been in my stash long enough I think!

MarilynOctober 10, 2017

I love barn quilts. We have a farm in southeastern Wisconsin that has been in the family since 1838. I often think I would like to make a barn quilt. I am hoping to complete a sampler quilt this winter that I have been working on. After seeing the spool quilt that might be a good way to use some of my scraps.

Shirley ClarkOctober 10, 2017

That is beautiful! I love saving pics of barn quilts, but I’ve never seen one in person.

Diane HouckOctober 10, 2017

I love your block and barn quilt! I hope to finish a Delectable Mountains quilt this winter…if not sooner.

JulieOctober 10, 2017

What a wonderful heritage story. We have a barn quilt trail near my home, I love spotting them, they always make me smile.

JadeOctober 10, 2017

I have 2 unfinished quilts I’d like to complete this fall/winter. One is a memory quilt using large half square triangles from men’s shirts. The other is a sampler made from Accuquilt dies, so has lots of blocks made mostly with small half square triangles.

Grannie ConnieOctober 10, 2017

Thank you for sharing your barn quilt story. You continue to inspire me to do more every day. I am working on a Snail Trail quilt this fall. I would like to win this prize.

DebbieWOctober 10, 2017

Thanks for the wonderful, heartfelt story Nancy. Those are the kinds of gifts that I find are truly special.

Betty ElsnerOctober 10, 2017

Log cabin, my favorite quilt

Marsha DimondOctober 10, 2017

I have painted two small barn quilts. My husband is especially good at spotting them when driving around. I am currently working on a Halloween rail fence. I love Nancy’s spool block so that may have to go in the lineup this winter.

Susan SpiersOctober 10, 2017

Halloween! Hope to be working on a quilt – have the fabric, will try to start soon!

Brenda NanceOctober 10, 2017

I am going to be working on a denim rag quilt. It’s denim circles folded over squares of print material. I had just enough denim from my son’s old blue jeans and of course I had plenty of print in my stash. I think it’s going to turn out great.

chris lindnerOctober 10, 2017

I have always loved the log cabin quilt pattern. Some day I will make one for myself. We also live on the old homestead which is over 100years old. But it is no longer a working farm, we do however have a large shed on the property which would house a large barn quilt on it. That would be a really welcome addition.